Festival-time trade badly hit by border blockade

Kathmandu, Oct 14: The unannounced border blockade by India has adversely affected the trade and business in the capital in the run up to the festivals.

Traders at New Road, the major shopping hub in the capital, for instance, say that there is slump in the business especially after the undeclared border blockade by India as most of their import cargo remains stuck at the border.

Although there was demand of different goods during the Dashain festival, the business has been decreased for lack of smooth supply following the blockade.

Chairman of Khichapokhari Trade Centre, Manoj Shrestha, said that there was decrease in business in New Road area including Khichapokhari. He said, “In previous years, people used to face difficulty in their movement due to the crowd of shoppers. But less number of people is now found visiting the shops.”

Similarly, Chairman of RB Complex Trade Association, Parsuram Dahal said that there was a decrease in their business due to the disruption of import of goods following the April 25 Earthquake as well as the unannounced border blockade.

Businessmen said that around 60 per cent business has decreased this year as compared to the previous year. They said that the unannounced border blockade and political instability are main causes behind it.